This looks fun: "Vintage GIBSON Les Paul bass 1969 possible prototype" on ebay

[Basvarken]

That question was answered and solved two and a half years ago...

[uwe]

Didn't you want to bestow it on my kolleckshün, Holländer? I have a few vintage bikes lying around in the cellar I could exchange ...

[Psycho Bass Guy]

That question was answered and solved two and a half years ago...

I figured as much, but I'm curious. The old pics don't load.

[Basvarken]

The pics were in the Ebay auction, so they're gone. I don't have them.
But here's a wiring diagram of a Triumph which is pretty similar to the prototype. Except that the prototype doesn't have the switch to the impedance transformer.

[EvilLordJuju]

The reason I brought this up after so long, is that it proves that this was not a one-off home-made thing.

What I would like to know (but can't tell immediately) is whether the two are identical, or had different electronics. I can't find my original pics of the 1st one, but I know I saved them . Rob, dioes it look like they are the same wrt wiring?

[Basvarken]

My previous post made me think I should have save those pics.
And guess what? I saved them on a back up hard drive!

So I imported them again in my iPhoto and put them online.

Here's a pic of the wiring. Looks exactly the same. Except all the wires are coloured and the other one on TalkBass has grey wires.




And here's a pic of the impedance transformer still in there. It didn't look original to me. Big blobs of silicon and rather crudely soldered.
I removed it.





you can check the rest of the pics here.

[sniper]

i think i need a Hobbit!!!

could i get a tracing of this shape from you and maybe a body thickness measurement?

[Psycho Bass Guy]

Too bad I hadn't checked this thread out when it was first active. The transformer looks to be one of the common input types found in old audio consoles before transistors made it easier and cheaper to do electronically. Any chance of posting the markings? That should tell the value and the manufacturer.

[Basvarken]

@Psycho Bass Guy:

Here's what is printed on the transformer:

HLD 8050000620

TF4RX10YY
NYTC 51640
MAX.ALT.
70,000FT.

NYT
7018


@ Sniper Dog

body thickness: 38 mm
widest point lower bout of the body: 344 mm

[uwe]

That thing just looks too cool, bit Ovation'esque.

[Psycho Bass Guy]

Here's what is printed on the transformer:

HLD 8050000620

TF4RX10YY
NYTC 51640
MAX.ALT.
70,000FT.

NYT
7018

None of those numbers match to common EIA codes for coils:

http://www.triodeel.com/eiacode.htm

...and the altitude limit leads me to believe it was aircraft radio surplus. 

[Highlander]

...and the altitude limit leads me to believe it was aircraft radio surplus. 

We finally have the proof we've been looking for... Aliens abducted Gibson's CEO, and look what happened... THEY LIVE...

[Basvarken]

That thing just looks too cool, bit Ovation'esque.

Oooh I like those too. I was really GASsing for a Magnum about a year and half ago. But you and Joe talked me out of it 




Took some pics of the Prototype in the winter wonderland,
because I realised I still only had that one pic on the blanket. And the ones from the auction (that I forgot about that I had them...)

[Highlander]

I hope she gets some outings and just doesn't live in a case, Rob... just had a thought - is this lady older than you...?

[Basvarken]

Oh yes. None of my basses live in a case, they are all standing or hanging ready to be played. And they do get played.

I think this lady may be from the same year as I am (1968)